Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-13
THE aRsNT.uANCoCK TIFF.
tween The Distinguished
Generals.

ttiA tAtAn ef'AAiAAFS SsAfN 80 49, 49, =
Of the original quarrel between Grant
and Hancock. He said: "The facts,
familiar 20 some of us and as related
by cOntemporaneous army officers, who,
like myself, met the Russell and Dent
families and young Lieutenants Grant
and Hancock years ago i'll st. Louis,
briefly stated, are these: The Russell
family, then living in st. Louis, were
rich, becoming 50 upon profitable
army contracts which Miss Russell's
father had obtained from the United
States Government during and after
the Mexican war. The Dent family,
then residing in the suburbs of st.
Louis, was poor. The Russell family
entertained splendidly. The Dent
family did not mingle in the society
of that city, but lived humbly and fru-
gally. The young lieutenants and cap
tains of our regular army, who coveted
riches md were fond of elegant socie-
ty, visited the Russells, admired, and
some courted the rich and accom-
plished Miss Russell.
"The gay young officers who coveted
riches did not seek Miss Dent, and.
therefore, it was said, she became just
a little bit envious of the much-sought
young lady. A superb young officer
won and carried Off the rich prize.
Lieutenant Winfield Scott Hancock
married Miss Russell. A poor, and not
then very prepossessing, young officer
found favor in the eyes and won the
heart of the more humble young lady.
Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant married
Miss Dent. Though for many years
thereafter the homes Of those two fami-
lies were separated by hundreds of
miles, yet the members were not lost
sight of each TO the other. Hancock
became personally popular with the
people of his home i'll Pennsylvania,
and advanced creditably in the military
service, while Grant, not thus favored
by fortune, got out of the army and
struggled in poverty.
"Now," added the major-general,
with emphasis, 1" there in that protract-
ed contrast of positions was planted the
seed, long dormant, from which sprung
the nt-HIancock quarTel-envy. I'm
mediately upon the close OF the war Of
the rebellion Hancock was placed in
military charge of the District OF Co
lumbia, with quarters in Washington.
The quartermaster in charge of the Dis
trict, whose official duty it was to pro-
vide Hancock with quarters for his
family residence, rented a choice dwell
ing-house in Washington for that pur-
pose. and General and Mrs. Hancock
moved into it. There they We're re-
siding when along came from Virginia
General Grant and his family. Grant
outranked Hancock as military com
mander According to military rule
the superior officer III rank has the alb
solute choice OF quarters, and can, Ii
he will, take possession of those already
occupied by his inferior.
Mrs. Grant, looking around for q
residence for her family, came upon
the house in which Mrs Hancock was
living. Mrs. Grant told her husband
of this discovery, and expressed her
desire to occupy that house. General
Grant so informed the quartermaster,
and the latter, as was histoificial duty,
accordingly made known to General
Hancock that his family must yacate
the premises. Hancock wrote letter
to Grant depreceting that action, re-
marking, among other things, that
there were numerous dwelliLg-housss
in Washington equally and some more
desirable to be had for the asking.
Grant replied in terms which Hancock
regarded as discourteous and in some
sentences decidedly offensive. The
Hancocks Immediately vacated the
coveted house, and the Grants moved
into it.
"Some time thereafter, on Fifteenth
street, in frontof the Treasury Depart
ment building, Grant and Hancock met.
The former as he aftcrward stated, was
prepared to salute the latter and indi-
Gated his purpose. General Hancock
observed General Grant, but. in
marked manner refused to speak and
passed on. This occurrence becoming
publicly known, some days thereafter
General Sherman voluntarily interposed
rs mediator. A written correspondence
between Sherman and Hancock fol-
lowed, but no reconciliation ever took
place between Grant and Hancock,
though Grant frequently expressed his
regret at the estrangement. Time re-
moved the ascerbity of Hancocks re-
sentiment, and he, as we know, was one
of the most conspicuous among the dis
tinguished men who attended the fune-
raj of General Grant - Washington
Correspondence NeC YORK. World